YodaDrive

YodaDrive is an easy way to integrate your Radboud Data Repository (RDR) collections in your Windows File Explorer. It is a WebDAV client for Windows that allows users to mount a remote WebDAV server as a local drive. In this manual, we will show you how to install and use YodaDrive.

If you encounter problems or errors when using YodaDrive, you can contact the ICT helpdesk (email: icthelpdesk@ru.nl, telephone: 0031 (0)24 3622222).

Warning

Please note that collaborating on data from a YODA Drive folder or a mounted network drive involves certain risks. When multiple people work on the same data files at the same time, data entered may be lost. As such, it is important that only a single user works with the data of a collection at any point in time. We recommend making a single researcher responsible for working with data in the RDR, or to communicate well with your colleagues on who works with the data when.

Step 1: Download and install YodaDrive

Download and install YodaDrive from here. You need administrator privileges to complete the installation procedure. If you work on a PC or laptop managed by the Radboud University, please contact the ICT helpdesk to gain temporary administrator privileges.

Step 2: Open YodaDrive

After installation, open YodaDrive by clicking on the system tray icon:

../../../_images/yoda_tray_icon.png

Next, choose Manage.

Step 3: Configure YodaDrive

Enter the following information, as seen on the screenshot below:

  • Drive name: Enter a name for your Yoda Network Drive

  • Drive letter: Select a drive letter – any free letter is okay

  • URL: Either enter https://webdav.data.ru.nl to access all your collections or enter the specific WebDAV URL of a collection you are working on

  • Login and Password: Fill in your data access credentials. You can find these credentials on the top right of the RDR under [Your name] > Data access credentials

  • Check the following boxes: Remember Password (do NOT check this box if you are on a publicly accessible PC or laptop), Auto-mount drive and Start with Windows

Click Save, then Mount and you can now view the Yoda Network Disk in your File Explorer.

../../../_images/yoda_configuration.png

In order to add data to your RDR collection, simply drop files in your Yoda Network Drive in Windows File Explorer. Steps 4 to 6 will instruct you on how to do this.

Step 4: Open your RDR collection

The name of the folder of your collection is based on the collection identifier. This identifier can be found in the RDR beneath the title and abstract of your collection.

../../../_images/collection_identifier_place.png

The collection identifier consists of the following parts:

../../../_images/collection_identifier.png

These parts correspond to the folder structure in your Yoda Network Drive (i.e. your organisational unit first, then the last part of the collection identifier).

Step 5: Work in your Yoda Network Drive

You are currently in the folder that corresponds to the collection you want to work in. You can treat files in this folder just as you would do in ‘regular’ folders in Windows File Explorer.

Step 6: Check uploaded files

You should always check whether your files are uploaded to the RDR. In order to do this, open the RDR in your browser and log in. Find your collection and select it. Under the tab files you should now see the files you have added in the Yoda Network Drive. To ensure that the data transfer is complete, you should always perform a checksum prior to deleting files from your original storage system or publication or archiving of your collection in the RDR.

Note: Uploading to the RDR can take some time (up to several hours), especially for large files. Please be patient when handling a lot of and/or large files.